AI-Generated Video of PM Modi’s Mother: FIR Filed, Political Storm Ensues

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming politics, media, and society—but not always for the better. In India, the latest flashpoint involves an AI-generated video allegedly portraying disrespectful content involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late mother, Heeraben Modi.

The video has triggered outrage, legal action, and a bitter political blame game. On September 13, 2025, Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against certain Congress leaders accused of circulating the deepfake. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) immediately condemned the act as a violation of dignity and decency, while the Congress countered by demanding verification and accusing the ruling party of weaponising the issue.

Beyond party politics, the episode shines a harsh spotlight on deepfake dangers, the gaps in India’s legal framework, and the urgent need to regulate AI-driven misinformation before it destabilises democratic processes.

The Incident: What Happened

The controversy began when an AI-generated video surfaced on social media platforms. The video allegedly depicted Heeraben Modi, the Prime Minister’s mother who passed away in 2022, in a manipulated and disrespectful manner.

BJP’s Position: Leaders called the video an “assault on dignity, culture, and decency”, accusing Congress members of circulating it to demean the Prime Minister and his family.
Congress’s Response: Congress leaders pushed back, arguing that the matter required deeper forensic verification before attribution. Some accused the BJP of “manufacturing outrage” to distract from governance issues.
Public Reaction: The video spread quickly online, sparking heated debates, trending hashtags, and strong emotional responses from Modi supporters as well as critics.

Legal Action: The FIR

Delhi Police, acting on BJP’s complaint, filed an FIR under sections related to:

Outraging the modesty of women
Spreading misinformation
Promoting enmity and disharmony

The inclusion of laws protecting women’s dignity is notable, as BJP leaders framed the issue not only as political defamation but also as gender-based disrespect.

Cybercrime teams are investigating the origin of the video, tracing digital fingerprints, and working with social media companies to identify who first uploaded and disseminated the content.

The Political Fallout

BJP’s Strategy

Accusations of moral degradation: BJP leaders stressed that attacking the PM’s deceased mother showed Congress’s disregard for Indian values.
Mobilising sympathy: The issue has been amplified across rallies and social media, presented as an attack not just on Modi but on “every Indian mother.”
Framing Congress as reckless: BJP argued that the opposition is crossing ethical boundaries to gain political mileage.

Congress’s Counter

Denial of involvement: Congress insisted that BJP is falsely attributing the video to its leaders.
Criticism of governance: Some Congress voices accused the government of focusing on a video controversy rather than inflation, unemployment, and governance issues.
Warning against overreach: Congress cautioned that labeling political opponents as criminals over unverified content could stifle free expression.

Public Divide

As is often the case in India’s hyper-polarised political climate, the incident has deepened divisions:

BJP supporters see it as proof of opposition’s disrespect.
Opposition supporters view it as a political trap.
Neutral observers are worried about how easily AI content can inflame public sentiment.

Deepfakes and Democracy

This episode underscores the growing weaponisation of AI in politics.

What Are Deepfakes?

Deepfakes are synthetic media created using machine learning, often indistinguishable from real footage. They can depict individuals saying or doing things they never did.

Why They’re Dangerous in Politics

Misinformation: False videos can spread rapidly, misguiding millions.
Defamation: Politicians can be targeted to destroy reputations.
Polarisation: Manipulated content fuels anger and distrust.
Election Integrity: Fake videos can sway voters, undermining democracy.

Global Context

In the U.S., deepfakes have already appeared in election campaigns, prompting urgent calls for regulation.
In the EU, lawmakers are moving to classify deepfakes as high-risk AI systems under the AI Act.
In China, strict laws mandate labeling AI-generated content.

India, with its massive social media user base and upcoming elections, is especially vulnerable.

Legal Gaps in India

India currently lacks a comprehensive law to address deepfakes. Instead, authorities rely on:

IT Act, 2000: Covers cybercrimes, but not explicitly AI manipulations.
IPC & Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Used for defamation, obscenity, or outraging modesty.
Information Technology Rules, 2021: Require intermediaries to take down harmful content when notified.

Experts warn these laws are piecemeal and reactive, not designed for the generative AI era.

“We’re using 20th-century laws to fight 21st-century problems,” said a Delhi-based cyber law expert.

Ethical and Social Dimensions

Respect for the Deceased: Manipulating the image of someone who has passed away raises serious ethical questions, beyond politics.
Cultural Sensitivity: In India, reverence for mothers and elders is deeply ingrained, making such content more inflammatory.
Freedom of Expression vs. Harm: The debate raises the dilemma of where free speech ends and harmful deepfakes begin.
Psychological Impact: Fake videos can traumatise families of those depicted, as well as polarise communities.

What Needs to Change

1. Stronger Regulation

A dedicated law on AI and deepfakes, with clear definitions, penalties, and obligations for platforms.
Mandatory labeling or watermarking of AI-generated content.

2. Platform Accountability

Social media platforms must improve detection of synthetic media.
Faster takedown processes for harmful deepfakes.

3. Public Awareness

Digital literacy campaigns to help citizens distinguish real from fake.
Teaching users to verify before sharing.

4. Political Responsibility

Parties must pledge not to use AI for disinformation.
Election Commission could consider guidelines to prevent misuse during campaigns.

Conclusion

The AI-generated video of PM Modi’s mother is more than a political controversy; it is a warning sign for India’s democracy. As technology blurs the line between real and fake, the cost of inaction could be devastating—misinformed electorates, delegitimised institutions, and poisoned political discourse.

While BJP and Congress trade charges, the larger issue remains: India urgently needs a regulatory and ethical framework for AI-generated content. Without it, the nation risks seeing more such incidents in the run-up to elections, undermining both dignity and democracy.

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